HTC’s two latest entry-level Android phones, the Salsa and ChaCha, go on sale through Vodafone from July 6. With both phones being available on contract with no additional handset fees on Vodafone’s entry-level 24-month cap plans (the $45 Infinite plan and the $29 standard cap), they are two of the cheaper Gingerbread-running phones out there right now.
With similar basic specs, the principle differentiator between the two models is that the ChaCha includes a full QWERTY keypad, while the Salsa (essentially a derivative of the Legend) offers a larger screen size. Both also sport a custom ‘Facebook’ button beneath the standard Android four button-panel.
At first glance I thought this was just a strange shortcut to the Android Facebook app, but it’s actually more context-aware than that. If you press the button while on a web site, that link is shared automatically. If you use the button to take a photo in the camera app, it is automatically updated to Facebook. The button glows when the option of sharing via Facebook is available. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but if you’re a serious Facebook addict it could save you a lot of time.
The ChaCha will also be available as an outright buy for prepaid customers for $299 (though it will still be locked to the Vodafone network).
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